Buddy L Jr Stake Baggage Truck *SOLD*

Buddy L Jr Stake Baggage Pickup Truck for sale

Our Buddy L Jr Stake truck is a used gem.  This scale is so enticing, with its bumper, lights, realistic cab, rubber tires, and opening doors.

This particular Baggage truck model is extremely difficult to locate.  Let us know if you have one or have perspective on rarity due to your own experiences.

This toy is used and worn, with corrosion spots. The front bumper is bent and scratches abound.  As always, there still is such a charm with these Buddy L’s and this is in original condition without repairs.

—- Buddy L History —
Buddy “L” toys are manufactured by the Moline Pressed Steel Company in East Moline, Illinois. The company was founded in 1910 by Fred A Lundhal and originally manufactured automobile fenders and other stamped auto body parts for the automobile industry. The company primarily supplied parts for the McCormack-Deering line of farm implements and the International Harvester Company for its trucks.

Moline Pressed Steel did not begin manufacturing toys until 1921. Mr. Lundhal wanted to make something new, different, and durable for his son Arthur. He designed and produced an all-steel miniature truck, reportedly a model of an International Harvester truck made from 18 and 20 gauge steel which had been discarded to the company’s scrap pile.

The other kids in the neighborhood loved the toy so much they got their parents to request that Mr. Lundhal make similar toys for them. The demand made Mr. Lundhal consider manufacturing toys for the toy trade. He designed and produced 3 samples of all steel toys under the name Buddy”L”. The name Buddy “L” came from his son, Arthur, who was known in the neighborhood as Buddy “L”, to distinguish him from another Buddy in the same neighborhood.

Mr. Lundhal took his samples to the 1922 New York Toy Fair and received a lukewarm reception. Toy buyers thought the prices were too high; however, the toys became noted for their size and quality and toy sales took off. Therefore, Lundhal went ahead and launched the first large American pressed-steel toys – Buddy L.

When Moline Pressed Steel tried to modernize the line and make the toys a bit more cheaply but the market didn’t respond so items from the Jr. series are scarce